MC05
Can We Move the Wellness "Needle" with Shared Medical Appointments for MS Patients?
Comorbidities with MS are associated with higher mortality and other consequences. We aim to find a solution to educate and enact change in MS patients towards overall better health. Shared Medical Appointments are a resource effective mean of education, experience and examination of the patient.
Objectives:
Present the demographics, patient reported outcomes (PRO), functional outcome (FO), vital signs and comorbidities of patients that attended a shared medical appointment (SMA)
Determine if there are changes in FO, PRO or and health outcomes after SMA attendance.
Methods:
A monthly SMA with rotating Wellness topics including: Nutrition, Culinary medicine, Therapeutic yoga and Guided imagery was offered to MS patients. Medical records were reviewed for demographics, FO, PRO, vitals, health care utilization and comorbidities. Patient satisfaction surveys were tallied and reviewed.
Results:
33 patients attended at least one Wellness SMA. Average age was 50, range 24-71. The mean disease duration was 11.1 years. There were 91% women in attendance. 18% were vocationally disabled. The average PHQ9 was 5.5 pre SMA and 4.4 post SMA. The Global physical health average score pre SMA was 43.5 and 44.3 post SMA. The most common comorbidity was Hypertension. The average pre SMA 25 foot walk (25FW) was 9.4 seconds. Blood pressure was normal in 95%. The average weight pre SMA was 74kg. 45% returned for more than one SMA. 36% attended 3 or more. Patient satisfaction was 75% for attending again and gaining valuable information. Further post SMA data will be presented.
Conclusions:
Female patients attended preferentially.
More than one SMA attended lead to long term participation.
The attendees were typically middle aged with mild mood disorder and gait disorder.
The SMA received high patient satisfaction scores.
Encouraging wellness interventions at an earlier age, wider demographics and disability level may help to enact change in MS patients toward healthy lifestyle practices.